Deciding on home education for your child is not something that you will take lightly.

There are many aspects that it is imperative to consider before settling on it one way or another.

Of course, first you and your kids should discuss about the pros and cons. They should be the ones who prefer home education at the end of the day.

And in times of a pandemic where most schooling is done from home, there are several things you should keep in mind.

That’s why we will reveal to you the 4 main things you should consider as a parent when thinking about home education for your kids.

4 Most Important Things to Think About when You Consider Home Education:

1. Socializing.

One of the biggest concerns for parents when they opt to home educate relates to ensuring their child will still socialize.

Socializing is one of our basic needs as humans to develop in mentally healthy individuals.

It is intrinsic quality that will enable the person to play a positive role in society.

So think about way how your kid will get the necessary amount of socializing that other children get when they go to school.

If you know a network of local homeschoolers or you have friends whose children would be willing to spend time with yours regularly, you probably ought not to worry.

There will always be opportunities to spend time with their peers, just not within the typical school setting.

2. Curriculum.

Depending on your own educational philosophy, you may or may not wish to follow a standard curriculum.

Learning about the civil war does not have to be done using a textbook.

Field trips to museums, re enacting scenes and role play linked to the thoughts and feelings of key figures within that period of history can easily be done to motivate and encourage children to learn outside of a school setting.

The curriculum that most children learn does not have to be as rigid as some schools make it, and so you may wish to base your homeschooling around it. Alternatively, you may prefer to go with your child’s interests and learn about whatever they would like.

3. Resources.

The thought of ensuring that you have resources to teach whatever curriculum you decide to follow can be somewhat overwhelming.

There is a wealth of teacher created and home educator created lesson plans, worksheets, videos, flashcards and so on available readily online.

However, when your children are younger, you may find it much easier to buy good quality, ready made early learning resources to stimulate and motivate.

Don’t forget that resources do not actually have to be purely things you can use within your home. Home education is not restricted to your property. Use the great outdoors.

For example, if you are learning division, use leaves or chestnuts to do so. For art, head to your local gallery.

Physical education can be done by spending time in a local climbing center or running in the park. The only limitations really lie with your own imagination.

4. Cost.

Although your imagination may be the only limitation to working out how you want to teach and therefore resource the education you are providing for your children, the cost of home educating must also be a consideration.

You should plan out all the costs and see if you can manage to provide that as a family.

For single parent families or those on a low income, it might be a little trickier.

There are many groups that you can join, such as Spanish classes or drama for those home educating, which also come at a cost.

Do your research fully before committing. But first, discuss with your children and hear their opinion.